playing devil's advocate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "playing devil's advocate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to present an opposing viewpoint or argument for the sake of discussion, even if you don't personally agree with it. For example, "I don't believe in that policy, but I'll play devil's advocate and argue its potential benefits." Alternative expressions include "taking the opposing view" and "arguing the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It does worry you, though, if someone does put it to your face because it's an unanswerable question," he says, playing devil's advocate.

The Guardian - Sport

I am playing devil's advocate here.

The Guardian

I was playing devil's advocate".

The New Yorker

I enjoy playing devil's advocate and seeing the other side".

Independent

Then, playing devil's advocate, I tried to reason with myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

How could Mother remember him playing devil's advocate?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

To play devil's advocate: What's more selfish than creating a mini-version of yourself?

The New York Times

In reality, it's easy to play devil's advocate to Cline's sentiments about these notable dressers.

Huffington Post

Outside of work, Perfect swears he's not the sort to play devil's advocate.

The Guardian

There's a possibility that everything he's touched on is accurate, but allow me to play devil's advocate.

TechCrunch

Let me play devil's advocate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly signal when you are "playing devil's advocate" to avoid misinterpretation. Transparency ensures that your intent is to explore an idea, not necessarily to endorse it.

Common error

Avoid using "playing devil's advocate" as a shield for genuinely held, but unpopular, opinions. Ensure the intent is to explore ideas, not to mask personal beliefs, to maintain credibility and foster open dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing devil's advocate" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a counter-argument or an alternative perspective in a discussion or debate. Ludwig AI examples confirm its role in exploring different angles of an issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "playing devil's advocate" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to introduce a counter-argument or explore an alternative perspective. Ludwig AI examples and the wide usage in news media confirm its purpose in encouraging critical thinking and identifying potential flaws in arguments. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to clearly signal your intent when using this phrase to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "arguing the opposing side" or "presenting a counter-argument" can be considered for variety. Remember that skillful use of "playing devil's advocate" fosters more robust discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arguing the opposing side

Focuses on the act of arguing from the opposite perspective.

presenting a counter-argument

Highlights the act of offering an argument that opposes a previous one.

taking the contrarian view

Emphasizes holding a position that differs from the majority.

for the sake of argument

Indicates that the position is being taken purely for the purpose of discussion.

positing an alternative perspective

Suggests offering a different viewpoint for consideration.

challenging the assumption

Implies questioning the underlying basis of an argument.

questioning the premise

Focuses on scrutinizing the foundational statement or idea.

acting as a skeptic

Involves adopting a questioning or doubtful attitude.

offering a dissenting opinion

Highlights the expression of disagreement or opposition.

exploring the other side

Suggests examining an alternative viewpoint or angle.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "playing devil's advocate" in a sentence?

You can use "playing devil's advocate" to introduce a counter-argument or explore alternative perspectives. For example, "I don't necessarily agree, but "playing devil's advocate", what if we considered...?"

What are some alternatives to saying "playing devil's advocate"?

Alternatives include "arguing the opposing side", "presenting a counter-argument", or "taking the contrarian view", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is there a risk of offending someone when "playing devil's advocate"?

Yes, there's a risk if not handled carefully. Clearly state your intention isn't to endorse the view, but to explore its merits or weaknesses. Using phrases like "just "for the sake of argument"" can help.

What's the difference between "playing devil's advocate" and genuinely holding a contrary opinion?

"Playing devil's advocate" involves temporarily adopting a contrary position for discussion or analysis, regardless of one's actual beliefs. In contrast, genuinely holding a contrary opinion means truly believing in that viewpoint.